Dubai Work Visa Guide for International Students
The Dubai Post Study Work Visa is a legitimate time period for students to stay and work in Dubai after graduation. Get more details on the Dubai Work Visa on this page.
For international students, post-graduation anxiety can be real. It begins with the question, "Will I find a job?" Will I have to leave the country I just studied in? In many popular study destinations like the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada, finding a job is a race against a fast-expiring visa. As they offer a set-period of Post-Study Work Permit after they graduate, like 18 months to 2-years.
But the Dubai Work Visa is different; international students have no student visa extension that converts to a post-study work permit. Instead, here you have options of a 6-month Job Seeker Visa and a 5-year Green Visa. These visa options are meant to suit everyone’s professional needs, including international students studying in Dubai.
This article will provide you with comprehensive information about the Post-Study Work Visa in Dubai for international students. Starting from the types of visas to eligibility requirements, costs, and much more. So let’s get started.
Types of Post-Study Work Visa in Dubai
Dubai post-study work options are mainly divided into two options, and each one is designed to fit different job situations and timeframes.
Here are the types of Dubai Work Permit for international students:
- Jobseeker Visa
- Green Visa
Dubai Work Permit for international students is dependent on the visa duration and the type of sponsor. Here are the details:
| Visa Type | Validity / Duration | Sponsor / Self-sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Jobseeker visa (60/90/120 days) | 60 / 90 / 120 days | No sponsor |
| Green Visa | 5 years | Self / employer |
Jobseeker Visit Visa
This visa is the first choice of international students either studying or recently graduated from Dubai. It offers eligible jobseekers (including graduates from one of the world's top 500 universities within the last two years) a validity of either 60, 90, or 120 days. This permit requires no sponsorship, and the time frame is entirely dependent on the applicant's choice, having no direct link to the number of academic years spent in Dubai. Most international students pick their visa timeline based on the complexity of their job search and the associated visa fees.
Eligibility Requirements of Jobseeker Visa
Jobseeker Visit Visa are open to all applicants and require no sponsors if the applicant meets the necessary eligibility requirements. So, here is the list of eligibility requirements for Jobseeker Visit Visa in Dubai:
- You should be employed in a Level 1, 2, or 3 profession, as classified by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- You should be a recent graduate (within the last two years) from one of the top 500 universities worldwide, as recognised by the UAE Ministry of Education.
- All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification, and
- You should be able to provide the required financial guarantee as specified by the authorities.
| Security amount | AED 1,000 |
| Warranty service fee | AED 20 |
| Collection & return fee | AED 40 |
Documents Required for Jobseeker Visit Visa:
The eligibility criteria for a jobseeker visa are followed by a certain set of mandatory documents that are required with the visa application form. And, here is a list of documents required for a Jobseeker Visit Visa in Dubai:
- A coloured photo
- A copy of the applicant’s passport
- Attested academic certificates
Jobseeker Visit Visa Fees
The cost of Jobseeker Visit Visa fees is divided into the following types:
| Visa / Financial Item | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| 60-day visit visa | AED 200 |
| 90-day visit visa | AED 300 |
| 120-day visit visa | AED 400 |
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Green Visa
As a second step towards an international student’s Post-Study Work Visa journey, the Green Visa is the right option. It is a self-sponsored, five-year residence visa offered for skilled workers, freelancers, and self-employed people who meet specific income requirements, such as a minimum salary of AED 15,000 per month for skilled employees. Students on a Jobseeker Visa look for jobs that meet this threshold. They can then transition to the Green Visa and gain the benefit of self-sponsorship for five years, but a valid employment contract (and corresponding work permit) is mandatory to meet the eligibility requirements for the Skilled Employee Green Visa category in Dubai.
Eligibility Requirements of the Green Visa in Dubai
Green Visa is valid for skilled workers and freelance workers, and thus each category comes with its own specific requirements, which, when met, are granted with Green Visa in Dubai.
And, here are the lists of both Skilled and Freelance Green Visa in Dubai:
Skilled Workers Eligibility Requirements:
- All applicants must have a valid employment contract.
- This employment must be classified in the first, second or third occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- All applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- The monthly salary has a cap of AED 15,000 per month.
Freelancers' Eligibility Requirements for Green Visa:
- You should first acquire a freelance/self-employment permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- Your application requires proof of a bachelor’s degree or a specialised diploma
- You need to provide evidence of annual income from self-employment for the previous two years, amounting to not less than AED 360,000, or proof of financial solvency throughout their stay in the UAE.
Cost of Green Visa
The cost of a Green Visa in Dubai is divided into a multi-step process, starting from the entry permit to residency visa fees and more. Here is the tidal cost of a Green Visa in Dubai:
| Component | Estimated Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Entry Permit | 1,035 |
| Residency Visa | 2,200 |
| Change of Status | 570 |
| Medical Check-up | 755 |
| Emirates ID | 700 |
In addition to the Jobseeker Visit Visa and Green Visa, Dubai also offers a Golden Visa option for extraordinary students with excellent academic performance both in high school and university. This visa does not require a sponsorship and comes with additional benefits, but is not a direct link to Post-Study Work Options in Dubai.
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How to Apply for a Post Study Work Visa in Dubai?
The application process for a Dubai Post Study Work Visa is quite straightforward, requiring a certain set of eligibility criteria, documents, financial proofs and more. To make this process easier for you here is the process to apply for work permit after study in Dubai
- Obtain a Job Offer: Secure a valid job offer letter from a UAE-based company. The employer will initiate the employment visa application on your behalf.
- Visa Application Submission: Wait for your employer to submit the necessary visa application documents and pay the visa fee.
- Complete Medical and Documentation: Undergo a medical examination and gather required documents, including passport copies, passport-size photos, and the job offer letter. Submit these to the Department of Health and Medical Services to obtain a UAE health card.
- Submit Documents to Ministry of Labor: Once you have your UAE health card, provide all documents to the UAE Ministry of Labor to complete the employment visa process.
Following these steps will help you transition smoothly from student to professional life in Dubai.
Post-Study Work Options in Dubai
Now, the need for a Post-Study Work Visa stems from acquiring job opportunities, and Dubai delivers just that. Dubai’s thriving economy holds multiple job opportunities for international students after graduation. Be it the oil industry or real estate, marketing, or healthcare, the Post-Study Work Options in Dubai are vast and offer substantial benefits like sponsorship, work-life balance, bonuses, and potential growth opportunities.
Here is a list of the top job Options for international students on a Dubai Work Visa:
| Profession | Estimated Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Sales Manager | 14,000 – 36,000 |
| HR Manager | 12,000 – 30,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 15,000 – 29,000 |
| Financial Analyst | 10,000 – 24,300 |
| Data Scientist | 12,000 – 25,000 |
| Civil Engineer | 9,000 – 18,000 |
| Teacher (International School) | 10,000 – 19,000 |
| Software Engineer | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| Graphic Designer | 6,000 – 15,000 |
The Dubai Work Visa is carefully crafted to meet the requirements of job-seekers and graduates. As an international student studying in Dubai, you need to understand your options well so you can apply for the right one at the right time.
According to the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), Dubai is among the five best cities to work. This comes with high demand in sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, and renewable energy, plus the excellent work culture. This growth presents immense opportunities for graduates looking to build their careers in the region.
Additionally, networking with alumni, professionals, and experts like AECC can help you ease the process and make more informed decisions about your career path. Speak to an AECC expert today and take the first step towards building your career in Dubai!